New UN humanitarian chief visits Iraq

United Nations: The UN humanitarian chief visited Iraq and met senior officials as well as people from Anbar and Saladin Governorates who remain displaced in the capital Baghdad.

British politician Stephen O'Brien assumed the role of Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator since May 29, Xinhua news agency reported on Tuesday.

"Following his meeting with high-level officials including President Fuad Masum and Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari, O'Brien said that we must do more for all the people in Iraq affected by this devastating conflict," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday.

"Tomorrow (Tuesday) he is expected to visit Erbil, to meet with Kurdistan regional officials and families who had fled violence and have sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region in this past year," he said.

O`Brien, who was in Iraq on Sunday, is paying a three-day visit to the Middle East country. The visit will also focus on how the UN and humanitarian partners can best support the government of Iraq in providing assistance and protection for all the people in need.

Nearly three million Iraqis have been displaced since last January and over eight million people need assistance across the country.

Aid agencies urgently need access to vulnerable people in need, as well as funding for critical relief work.